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Tour overview
Kerala is a land of natural beauty with a varying countryside ranging
from the ghats to the backwaters. Kerala is home to sprawling
plantations and paddy fields, Ayurvedic treatments, enchanting art and
culture, exotic cuisine .Kerala offers a unique experience. In Kerala
explore the beaches of Kovalam and Kumarakom or take
in the sights in Cochin or Allepey and Thekkady. Kerala is truly God’s
Own Country where you can enjoy a relaxing holiday.
Highlights:
Cochin • Periyar • Alleppey •Kumarakom
•Kovalam
Day 1
Depart on your scheduled flight to Cochin.
Day 2
Early morning arrival. Transfer to your hotel for a two night stay.
This afternoon we include a
boat ride in Cochin harbour. This evening there will be a special
display of Kathakali
Classical Dance.
Day 3
Cochin is the cosmopolitan capital of Kerala. The picturesque harbour,
houses on stilts, islands and backwaters give this city a unique
atmosphere. No wonder Cochin is often referred to as the 'Venice of
the East'. A morning city tour is included featuring
the main sights such as the Jewish
Quarter,
theDutch
Palace and St.
Francis Church.
Day 4
Morning drive through rice paddies, tea
plantations, rubber trees and gardens of coffee, cardomom and pepper
plants. The aroma of spices fills the air. Afternoon arrival in Periyar,
near Thekkady, where two nights' accommodation has been arranged.This
evening you will explore the fascinating Periyar
GameReserve by
motor launch. The convoluted waterways afford sightings of elephants,
bison and deer. All manner of flora and fauna flourish in this
tropical habitat, making it one of the premier reserves of southern
India.
Day 5
This morning, join an optional morning boat ride
in the game reserve. This afternoon we include a visit to a spice
plantation and
there will be an evening nature walk in the game reserve with a local
guide.
Day 6
Depart Periyar for the drive to Alleppey for
an overnight stay on one of the famous houseboats. Kerala’s
houseboats, known as kettuvalloms, offer the chance for an
unforgettable night in traditional surroundings, with splendid views
of the palm-fringed backwaters.
Day 7
Leaving the houseboat you will travel to Kumarakom,
a tiny settlement nestling in the famous backwaters of Kerala. Two
nights’ accommodation has been arranged. Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 8
Today you will visit a fisherman's village and local market. You will
also see coir and coconut farms and fragrant spice gardens. The
backwaters are also home to a wealth of birdlife including
kingfishers, cormorants and egret. A typical keralan lunch is included today.
Day 9
Depart Kumarakom by coach for the drive to Kovalam and
its magnificent beach, for a two night stay.
Day 10
Free to enjoy this stunning coastline. You can
stroll on the beach and watch the fishermen laboriously pull in the
huge nets which they lay across the entire bay.
Day 11
Transfer to Trivandrum Airport for the return
flight.
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